Talk:Selma, Alabama
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Selma, Alabama, USA, was the site of serious African-american race struggle in 1965, seen by many outside the USA probably the most serious turning point in the Aparthied regime of the the USA at the time.
The struggle finally led to cross-racial voting rights in the "USA" during 1965 Made (more?) infamous by the pop/folk song, a hit for Barry McGuire (written by "P.F. Sloan"):-
"Think of all the hate there is in Red China, then take a look around to _Selma, Alabama_"
According to various web sources, the issue at the time was segregation of the slavery-derived "African-american" majority community from the the "white" minority community. However, far from being the worst of the many confict areas, Selma was propelled to the public eye because media coverage displayed the local law enforcement agents in particularly bad light, rather than highlighting Selma as the "worst of the worst" area for the USA Aparthied conflict during the 1960's.
PS: as a sad footnote: when I (inadvertantly) visited Selma in 1993, buying fuel and asking directions on the way to a business meeting in Oxford, Alabama; I was literally run out of town at gunpoint (and I mean _long-gunpoint_; an M16 or possibly CAR-15) for politely asking directions to a reasonable motel and a Vegetarian/Halal/Kosher food shop or restaurant/diner. (I am a vegetarian -for medical reasons : renal impairment- and of Caucasian European Scottish descent, with Anglo-Saxon christian ancestors) This episode has completely bemused me for 11 years since - I never visited the USA again or had a any trade contacts with them since.
I hope they're a bit more tolerant to visitors now?
[edit] Historical Importance
Why aren't there things in the article that allude to the historical importance of the city? This looks more like a census report!
Talk about the bombging, the boycotts, the emergence of King Jr.
There's a bigger more important role for Selma than just the numbers. But I'm a terrible writer, so if I do it it'll be ripped to pieces instantly.
--Duemellon 17:30, 10 Aug 2004 (UTC)
- No, please do! We encourage people to be bold in editing. Best, [[User:Meelar|Meelar (talk)]] 17:35, 2004 Aug 10 (UTC)
The bombing was in Birmingham, and the bus boycott was in Montgomery - not in Selma. The only historical significance of Selma involving the Civil Rights Movement was the Selma to Montgomery March......CMS
After living in Selma for 5 years I seriously doubt that the above gun point incident happened. The people of Selma live and work together. There are a few vocal agitators on both sides of the aisle that stir up problems. These agitators do nothing to solve any problems and in fact gain personal wealth and fame by exploiting people's feelings and/or ignorance.
Selma's History does not begin or end with the Civil Rights Movement. Selma has a rich pre-civil war history that centered around commerce and trade, albiet this trade was based in part on the labor of slaves. The St. James Hotel which has been recently restored was a famous stop during the American Western push. Selma was established in 1820 and named after a book of poems. William Rufus King, a Vice President of the United States called Selma home and was one of the town's original organizers.
During the Civil War Selma served as the Arsenal of the South, second only to Richmond Virginia, with an extensive Complex of Iron Works, Foundries and other types of factories. The Confederate Naval Works were located on the Alabama River at Selma and the construction of the CSS Tennessee or Monitor was begun at Selma. The Battle of Selma occured in April of 1865, when Wilson's raiders raised parts of the town and destroyed all of the buildings of the Confederate Arsenal and Foundries.
The events of Bloody Sunday actually took place outside the city limits just over the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Alabama State Troopers clashed with Civil Rights Marchers. The march through the city of Selma was violence free, but given its close proximity to the momentous events the City is infamous for the event.
Craig Air Force base, located near Selma,was a pivotal training facility during World War II and was active until the mid-70's.
Selma is simply much more than a Civil Rights.
I have my doubts as to the validity of the gunpoint incident. I lived in Selma for 23 years (including the period of time that this incident supposedly happened - would love to know the location of said incident). I actually had to laugh out loud over how comical that claim is when I read it. Selma is rich in history, both relating to the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement, as well as a wide variety of other claims. Aside from that, it is typical small-town America. Growing up in the area, you are taught of it's rich history, both thru school and first-hand accounts from family members, neighbors, and friends. I always had the impression that Selma had a huge impact on US history as a whole, but after leaving Selma, I was absolutely AMAZED at the number of people - young and old - who had never even heard of the place....CMS
[edit] Update
I've updated the entry for my hometown. Hopefully it's a little better now. ~ imanon
IMANON - you are doing a great job with the site. Very accurate on all accounts...CMS
Wondering if the Battle of Selma, as informative and extensive as it is, should be moved to the "Battle of Selma" page, with a concurrent and very moderated summary remaining on the Selma page??
- Yeah, the bulk (maybe 90%) of the battle information should be moved to the main article on the battle. 128.158.14.42 22:31, 18 January 2007 (UTC)
- I concur. We need something of Selma's history from the end of the Civil War to the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement also. Selma remained a successful city after the war. Additionally, it currently does not address Selma's progress since 1965. I grew up near and attended school in Selma, there's a wealth of information that could still be added, just from internet sources. I worked on the Mobile, Alabama article for 3 months and got it to GA status, if anyone wants my help here, I'm available, just let me know. I won't step on toes otherwise. Currently working to improve the Cahaba, Alabama article from a stub into something better. Altairisfartalk 01:32, 8 January 2008 (UTC)
[edit] Map
I removed that huge Alabama map that was overlapping the text and was not specific to Selma- the one that had a caption about the location of Selma and mentioned the Selma to Montgomery march, but did not really illustrate either. Altairisfartalk 01:32, 8 January 2008 (UTC)
